Which is the best/most likely path to CMC for me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Claremont McKenna College
1

Hello,

I am a recent graduate of high school, and I applied to CMC this fall for freshman admission. Sadly, I did not receive an acceptance letter from CMC. Due to the fact that CMC is undoubtedly my number one school, I want to try again for admission. I am posting here in hopes of some advice from the admissions guru’s that may see this post.

Due to not being accepted at CMC, I submitted my SIR at a small private school in southern California. Despite their best intentions of making me feel at home, and a good amount of money in a scholarship package (making the cost to go there cheaper than a UC for an instate student like me), I feel my heart set on claremont.

I understand that I have a few options if I want another chance at admission:

-Drop my SIR and enroll in a community college
1-------apply after 1 year of honors work at a local CC
2-------apply after 2 years, after receiving an AA in the honors program at a local CC

-Enroll in the school that I submitted my SIR to in SoCal
3-------apply after one year of honors coursework
4-------apply after 2 years of honors coursework

5-------take a gap year and re-apply (HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR ME…I AM A MOMENTUM-LOVING STUDENT)

out of those 6 options, I personally feel that option number 3 is a good fit. I can then see if I like that school, and may choose to stay, but that will cost more money than the first two options

There are definitely pros and cons in terms of acceptance rates, opportunities, and money with all the options…which is where your guys’ comments come into play.

Another thing to add…is the reality of how few transfers that they accept each year, and I want to keep my options open. I was thinking about applying to some other LAC’s, including reed up north, some eastern LAC’s, and maybe pomona. Should I also consider larger U’s…including UCLA, USC, Cornell, and UVA?

some info for you guys to give better advice:

IB student
4.2 gpa
-senior year GPA (4.1 and 4.0) with 2 c’s
30 ACT
20%-ish in class rank ( a tad higher)

note* This may be bit optimistic and arrogant…but I plan on having a high 3.9 or 4.0 in college. This is due to a similar intelligence level and work ethic from other alumni of my high school that also went to this school. (Then again everything IS different in college right?)

also…I will get about a year of credit from IB, should I take it? Would this mean that I transfer sooner? Would it help or hurt my chances of acceptance? I’m all ears. :slight_smile:

I am really confused…so any opinions/advice that you guys could give me

ps. I eventually want to go to medical school…which may make responding to this message more or less difficult.

2

bump?!?

3

My honest opinion is that you will not get into CMC, so you should enroll in the best option you have and don’t look back. CMC is now the most competitive LAC in the country – more than Amherst, Williams, and Pomona. My daughter has a 3.93/4.33 GPA, a 33 ACT, good ECs, and 9 APs after 3 years, and I doubt she will get in. There are simply too many strong students, a decent number of athletes, and too few spots.

4

I disagree with Daddio, I think that if you are dead set on CMC than you should pursue it! Nothing is impossible, and while admissions is quite difficult, you will have a good chance if you stated a lot of interest in CMC and try to transfer during your soph. year. Make sure to keep in contact with somebody from the admissions office throughout your freshman year. I am a recent CMC graduate, hit me up with PM if you want to talk more or other advice.

5

I am surprised that someone who considers CMC their top choice is also seriously considering Reed – they are VERY different schools.